Women 2001 REPORT OF THE ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE NATIONAL CONFERENCE 24-27 April 1997 Rustenburg Civic Centre NORTH WEST PROVINCE Unity, Peace & Development

FORWARD TO THE REPORT OF THE ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF 24 TO 27^th APRIL 1997

We meet again in conference, this time on the threshold of the 21st century which lies just three years ahead of us. It was a good time to pause and consider our contribution to humanity during the preceding decades, and to plan our commitments for the years ahead.

As I have said before, the ANC Women's League can lay claim to being a key factor in leading the battle against discrimination of all kinds not only in South Africa, but internationally.

For those who do not know it, Black women under threat clearly possess the capacity to fight back with a fierceness and intensity that surprises many observers.

At the Rustenburg conference women showed this same determination to stand by their principles, unbending strong resistant to any attempts to hijack their organisation.

Conference also rose on the anniversary of Freedom Day. This served as an added spur to the delegates as they went about the business of the conference, ensuring that we emerged more united than ever before.

Assembled at the conference were women from all walks of life: rural women, the poor, the unemployed, working women, professionals, legislators and ministers. This reflected not only the broad base of the League, but also the success we have had in advancing women as part of our victory over apartheid

We must be very clear, however, that the advances on the political front are not enough, we now have to pursue economic empowerment.

Our planning at this point in history has to be undertaken not only in the context of South Africa and hi the context of the world. Our fundamental commitment should be to eliminate poverty and to improve the quality of life of women so that they in turn will improve the quality of life of their families. We must plan to form links with woman throughout the world, particularly with women in Africa. the Middle East and Asia.

We in South Africa step into the new century on the arms of our new constitution, which is among the progressive in the world, and armed with astonishing technological and cultural advances made during the twentieth century. It was in this country that we made our first ventures onto outer space, conquered a whole range of diseases and revolutionised our system of communication. It is also the century in which colonialism ended and major victories were won against racism and against discrimination against women and minorities.

The twentieth century also leaves behind a legacy of violence, the nature and scale of which is unparalleled in human history. Two world wars were fought, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed, and we saw turbulence in Africa, the middle and Far East and in the Eastern bloc countries.

A key feature of the last years of this century has however been a renewed commitment to peace, throughout the world. This is particularly true of Africa, and we look forward to a century which we expect to have as its most important achievement an African Renaissance.

N. W. Mandela

1. INTRODUCTION

The Third National Conference of the ANC Women's League from 24 - 27 April 1997 at the Rustenburg Civic Centre in the Northwest Province was attended by more than a thousand (1 000) delegates and representatives from structures of the Women's League throughout the country; ANC leadership; international guests; Members of Parliament (MP's), the Provincial Legislatures (MPL's) and Councillors; Veterans of the ANCWL and representatives from the ANC Youth League, COSATU and SASCO.

2. POLITICAL CHALLENGES OF CONFERENCE

The Conference was opened by the Chairperson of the ANC and the Premier of the Northwest, cde Popo Molefe, who welcomed delegates to the province, and urged delegates that the outcome of deliberations of the Conference will have an impact not only on women as a majority sector of the population, but on the entire country. He challenged the Conference to in its deliberations ensure that the noble vision of the RDP is translated into a reality and to ensure that the Women's League becomes a centre of attraction to all women groups in the country, with an image that inspires across the spectrum.

Deputy President Thabo Mbeki in his keynote address to Conference conveyed greetings from President Mandela. He urged delegates: 'To do what's got to be done.' The overwhelming mandate the ANC received in the 1994 elections, is an indication that the democratic majority know fully well that it is only the African National Congress which possesses the history, tradition as well as the correct policies to help sustain the momentum of the struggle for the final goal of national emancipation. The ANCWL is an inseparable and integral part of the ANC. A weaker ANCWL is a weaker ANC. A stronger ANCWL is a stronger ANC. Furthermore, the impact of the struggle waged by the ANCWL for women's emancipation has an impact on the entire national liberation struggle.

The Deputy President noted that the recent history of the ANCWL had its fair share of set-backs and advances. Some of these advances are the establishment of the Commission on Gender Equality, the Office on the Status of Women, the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the fact that we rank in the top ten countries internationally in terms of representation of women in legislative structures of government. Other advances include the adoption of the new Constitution which enshrines equality and other programmes such as the expansion of free health care to pregnant women and children under six years.

The most immediate and urgent challenge facing, not only the ANCWL, but the entire progressive women's movement, is the question of unity. Personal differences, personal ambitions for power and glory, personal dislike of each other, are evils which should be subjected to the larger goal of meeting the aspirations of the majority.

The Deputy President concluded his keynote address by challenging Conference to draw up a programme aimed at building a new cadre of the ANCWL, building and consolidating organisational structures, working out the mechanism and programme for the mobilisation of the greatest number of women behind the policies of the ANC and usher the women's struggle into the next century.

In her Political Report to Conference, the President of the ANC Women's League, Cde Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, reviewed the political progress of the League since its last Conference in Durban in 1993. She highlighted the role played by the League as a key factor in the battle against racism in the 20th century, as the only women's organisation which politically mobilised women and during the Elections campaigns, as Members of the Parliament and as Councillors.

The President reflected on the proud history of the ANC Women's League since its formation in the anti-pass campaigns, the historic march to Pretoria in 1956 and as part of the Federation of Black women during the 70's.

The challenges facing the ANCWL as it enters the 21 century, is to ensure that we eliminate poverty, improve the quality of life of women and thus whole families and to forge links with women of the world in particular in Africa and Asia. Women have contributed little to the scientific and other advances of the 20th century. We must therefore ensure that the 21st century must be a century of brilliance for women.

STATE OF ORGANISATION

The Steering Committee presented the following Credentials report to the Conference:

The Organisational report was presented by the Deputy Secretary General, cde Bathabile Dlamini and was distributed to all delegates at Conference.

FINANCES

The audited statements of the ANCWL for 1993 and 1994 were presented to Conference by the ANC Treasurer General Rev. Arnold Stofile, and after clarification al id discussions, were adopted by Conference. Outstanding matters were referred to the incoming National Executive Committee. Rev. Stofile indicated that since the beginning of 1995, the financial affairs of the ANCWL were controlled by the ANC, and reports for the period 1995-1996 will therefore be given as part of the ANC financial reports. Notes by the Treasurer General Lulu Gxingwana on the finances of the League during that period were presented to Conference. The resolution on Finances adopted by Conference sets out a clear way forward for the League in dealing with its finances for the future.

DISCUSSIONS AND DELIBERATIONS OF CONFERENCE

Following the political speeches and reports, delegates discussed and debated a range of organizational and political challenges which face the Leagues in Commissions on the League's Constitution, on Women and the Economy, on Building a Vibrant Women's League, on Governance and Delivery and on the league in the 21st Century. Delegates contributed to discussions in Commissions and in Plenary sessions in a lively and vibrant manner, indicating a commitment to ensure a strong Women's League emerging from Conference.

ELECTIONS OF THE NEW LEADERSHIP

The elections at Conference was conducted by the Electoral Institute of South Africa. Before the elections started, the Constitutional Commission presented an amendment to Conference for the expansion of the National Executive Committee. Nominations were submitted by regions and an opportunity was also provided for nominations from the floor. A total number of 840 delegates elected the new leadership of the Women's League for the next three years.

RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS OF CONFERENCE

A wide range of resolutions were presented to Conference, which voiced the main challenges facing the Women's League and its new leadership and should form the basis of its programme of action for the next three years, and into the next century. Major decisions of Conference include:

1. To build a strong Women's League by working closely with the ANC and the Youth League;
2. To establish a separate membership system for the League, with a proviso that a person should join the ANC first;
3. Re-affirm its cadres through the implementation of a national cadreship programme of the League;
4. Strengthen relations with the ANC and ensure that the League make an even greater contribution to the ANC;
5. Develop a common approach with Alliance women on the broad women's movement;
6. To put in place effective financial systems, to deal with matters referred to it by Conference and ensure that the League takes full control of its finances;
7. To take various measures towards the empowerment of women to play an active role in social transformation, in areas such as governance, poverty relief, housing, health, the empowerment of rural women, education and training, disabled women; and
8. To convene a Special Conference on Women and Economic Empowerment;
9. Facilitate ongoing interactions between women in the legislatures, public service, local government, the executive and constitutional structures of the ANCWL;
10. Give full support for the work of the TRC and call on the former regime to confess and co-operate with the TRC;
11. Ensure efforts to prevent the marginalisation of women in the process of globalization, in the context of the world-wide struggle for social emancipation and gender equality through participation in international forums, bilateral relations with women's organizations, participating in peace initiatives, strengthening the gender movement in SADC and the OAU and through solidarity campaigns.
12. Support the National Crime Prevention Strategy, participate in campaigns to end crime against women and children and ensure that branches participate in Community Policing Forums.
13. Interact with ax-political and combatant structures to ensure that women's interests are being catered for, and interact with the Department of Culture around heritage symbols which reflects women's contributions to the country;
14. Create a desk in the League to co ordinate lobbying and advocacy for the improvement in the status of women, and to give effect to the equality clause in the Constitution;
15. The NEC to adopt a clear Programme of Action to mobilise women around the issues affecting them, ensure an active membership and establish the leadership of the ANCWL;
16. Actively participate in the elections structures of the ANC.
17. The NEC to appoint a special commission to finalise amendments to the ANCWL Constitution.

LONG LIVE THE ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE!
TOWARDS THE NEXT MILLENNIUM!

1. This THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE of the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE - meeting from the 24-27 April 1997 - brought together representatives of members and supporters of the ANCWL from throughout the country to review progress in our work and chart the way forward into the next millennium. Assembled at CONFERENCE were women from all walks of life - rural women, the unemployed, working women, professionals, legislators and ministers - reflecting the broad base of the League as well as the advances that we have made as a result of the people's victory over apartheid.

2. CONFERENCE noted with pride the role of the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE and South African women in general in realising the new democratic order based on principles of democracy, non-sexism and non-racialism. We are profoundly proud that, in the mass actions, in the trenches of armed struggle, in the negotiations and in the historic elections campaign, members of the League were found at the forefront of the efforts and sacrifices which brought about the democratic breakthrough in April 1994.

3. We are humbled that our CONFERENCE rises on this, the third anniversary of South African Freedom Day. This realization was an added spur on the delegates as they went about the business of CONFERENCE to ensure that we emerge from CONFERENCE united more than ever before, fired up more than ever before, and determined more than at any other time in our history to lead South Africa's women in the struggle to accomplish the dream of millions for a society without gender discrimination. We are keenly aware that a heavy responsibility rests on our shoulders, issuing from the squalor and pangs of hunger of women and children who were condemned to poverty by apartheid; from the cries of pain and anguish of the thousands who are victims of abuse and other violent crimes; from the yearning of millions of women for jobs and skills, eager and capable, but kept from responsibilities they deserve by the stubborn culture and practice of gender discrimination.

4. Indeed, if anything, these realities served as a reminder to the delegates that the freedoms our society has attained are but a victory in one important battle in the protracted war against all forms of discrimination. In this first CONFERENCE after April 1994, delegates also paid tribute to the heroines and heroes who fell on the road to freedom. We remain indebted to them, and we owe it to them to unite and mobilise South African women and the population at large to realise the objectives of reconstruction and development.

5. CONFERENCE received with enthusiasm the common message from the Deputy President of the ANC, the President of the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE and indeed the overwhelming majority of the delegates for us to correct the mistakes of the past, build on the many successes we have registered and march into the 21 st century as a leading force in the democratic women's movement in South Africa.

6. It is in this spirit that CONFERENCE got down to business, and emerged with resolutions, decisions and programmes of action which have set us along the road to these objectives.

7. CONFERENCE honestly reviewed the state of organization of the League and noted that, whilst most structures remained intact and operational, they had been greatly immobilized by the conflict that had gripped the national leadership. CONFERENCE deply regretted this experience and resolved that it should never happen again. In the content of the resolutions adopted, CONFERENCE has sent a strong message within its ranks, to the public at large and to the enemies of democracy that the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE is united, determined and resolved to be at the forefront of the struggle for gender and social emancipation.

8. CONFERENCE reaffirmed the unswerving adherence of the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE to the policies and objectives of the ANC, in whose formulation the League took an active part. CONFERENCE also reiterated the principle of the League's organizational autonomy, and the centrality of consistent and unwavering commitment to democratic practices within the League, including criticism and self-criticism within our structures.

9. CONFERENCE discussed and took decisions on many strategic and urgent matters pertaining to the cause of social and gender emancipation:

ON GOVERNANCE

• CONFERENCE examined and expressed satisfaction at the progress our government is making in improving the lives of our people for the better. We are encouraged by the progress we are making in democratizing our institutions of government, making them more representative, the transformation of the education system, more accessible health care, legislation that is sensitive to the disadvantaged and the visible commitment to combat poverty as demonstrated in our latest Budget.

• CONFERENCE committed the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE to strive for an accelerated programme of delivery of to our people , greater participation by women and targeted delivery towards rural areas.

ON ORGANISATION

• CONFERENCE did thorough examination of the state of organization. We accept with enthusiasm, the challenge to build the Women's League into a strong, vibrant and democratic organization. The building of active branches in all our communities, development and training, a widespread participation of women from all sectors in the activities of the ANC Women's League, and the establishment of a reliable membership system.

• We commit ourselves to work for even stronger relationship with the ANC and be the nucleus for mobilising women behind our movement.

• The mobilisation of the broadest movement of women behind the goal of a non-racial, united, non-sexist and democratic South Africa is critical. Our relationship with the National Women's Coalition should be constantly reviewed with the goal to locate the ANC Women's League at the head of the women's march for transformation and development.

ON CRIME

• We condemn the despicable abuse of women and children that is so prevalent in our society. We once more endorse the National Crime Prevention Strategy and urge all the women of our country to join the march against crime and violence. Once more we say: No to violence against women and children!

WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY

• CONFERENCE instructed the National Executive Committee to convene a Special Conference on Women and Economic Empowerment for formulate a comprehensive programme to eliminate gender and racial discrimination in the management and ownership of the wealth of the country, to address unemployment amongst women and to eliminate gender discrimination in the workplace.

• The ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE believes that the initiatives of government to ensure economic empowerment through programmes such as land redistribution and support to small scale farmers, industrial restructuring and various mechanisms to support small and micro enterprises, training and affirmative action in the workplace, must form the cornerstone of women's economic advancements.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

• CONFERENCE was graced with the presence of representatives from allied organisations from other countries and received messages from many other allies in the struggle for emancipation.

• Indeed, CONFERENCE reaffirmed the position of the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE as one among many contingents in the international army of fighters for a better world of peace, prosperity, social equity and gender equality.

• CONFERENCE expressed its solidarity with the women and people of Africa in this historic era of mobilisation for her renaissance, in the context of economic growth, development, peace, democracy and social justice.

• CONFERENCE welcomed representatives from PUDEMO in Swaziland and the General Union of Palestine Women and expressed solidarity with the struggle for democracy of the people of Swaziland and the struggle for self-determination of the Palestine people.

• We again rededicate ourselves to renew and strengthen relations with women's organisations who share our goals for woman's development along progressive policies both in Africa and the world.

• In particular we undertake to add our part in building an effective African women's movement and work closely with the women of Southern Africa.

• The carnage in Zaire and other conflict ridden countries in Africa must be halted. We support the actions of our government in trying to help find a solution. However, for this effort to succeed, it requires active participation of women in the processes to find a speedy and lasting resolution to the problems

10. The ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE emerges from this CONFERENCE reinforced in its commitment to the objectives a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. We pledge to spare neither effort nor strength in the struggle to achieve these objectives.

11. We are mindful of the fact that the consolidation of democracy and the betterment of the quality of life of the people requires even more determination on the part of the democratic movement. We are mindful too that elements of the past order are bent on reversing the gains scored by the democratic movement. The outcome of this CONFERENCE is a message to these forces that their efforts will meet the rock of a determined women's movement, hand-in-hand with other forces of democracy.

12. Above all, it is a message to the people of our country that the ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE is both ready and mobilised to join them in the continuing struggle for social and gender emancipation. Nothing will divert us from this cause.

Malibongwe!

NEC ADDITIONAL MEMBERS

FREEDOM DAY: 27 APRIL 1997

Cde Cheryl Caroulus, Gill Marcus and Stalwarts!
Cde. Steve Tshwete!
Cde Joe Nhlanhla!
Cde Peter Mayibuye Alias, Joel Lions Kirro and Young Lions!
Premier Popo Molefe - In absentia
Premier Mathew Posa
Dr. Thoko Msane

The in-coming National Executive of the Women's League! The membership of the Women's League from all 14 regions!

I lack the rich, eloquence to thank you all for your extra-ordinary support the entire staff, the women, the mothers of this nation.

It is truly my pleasure to be able to address you today, Freedom Day, the 27th April, I thank all the members of all the provinces for making the arrangement for this event, and I thank all the 60 delegates from each province for attending and thereby making a success of these most August Conference.

I thank my children, my daughters and their husbands, and my grandchildren who have stood by me and provided formidable support systems at the most difficult of times for me. I cannot tell you how many times I was called to the boarding schools especially where my grand-daughters are each time there are hurtful headlines in the media especially where in the latest Stratcom Vehicle - the New Nation which was mistakenly referred to as the relevant media in the old days of our struggle.

I thank the women for providing answers to my grand children as to why the struggle continues to be my life to this day, when we are supposed to be free. I could not explain to them that we are not yet totally free and that the women, particularly the rural women, are far from being liberated. I could not tell that any rumours of non-confidence in the government need to be dispelled without any further discussion and that it was because when I point out our weaknesses which need to be addressed, I am actually doing a self introspection as it is my government too which I collectively put in place and that was eight of our leaders of the ANC and the nation at large.

The amazing vote of confidence is a resounding indictment to carry on with our struggle to rid my people of the last of the last vestiges and remnants of that national cancer apartheid and racism which continues to surface now and again in our midst.

It says to me I must continue to stand for the truth at whatever cost, for this is what I fought for. My pride in these women continues to swell as I observed how upright they are! No one will ever manipulate these women for any sinister agenda. They stood firm against so many odds they stood for the truth, they fought for transparency, democracy and honour and demanded their rightful place in our struggle for the restoration of our dignity i.e. the dignity of the women.

The hallucinations of the media have been tragically squashed, they keep headlining - Winnie is finished -Winnie is a right-off - Winnie bounces back - its them who were a right-off to me. I never went anywhere they leave me standing where they left me and when they are rudely forced to come back, they claim its me coming back. I hope their schizophrenia will now be cured.

We, the women are bouncing into the 21st century, prancing straddling the road to freedom, majestically walking tall, entering the 21st century with pride and determination to achieve total liberation for our children. I will ead you to the promised land now that you have given me the resounding mandate to do so!

No amount of your absurd bad publicity will buy these women. Your distortions of the truth will not blur the vision of these women for a better life for our children.

Just to refer briefly to your lies in the Sunday Times today, the last paragraph of the article refer to;

1. A tcfusal to disclose my affairs or disclosures of my private life. The absurdity of that would be laughable if it was not so sick. These individuals with rotten skeletons in their cupboards have a nerve to say these things.

2. We all know no one in government himself/herself. The car they insanely keep referring to was smashed by their own employees members of the government VIP unit. When I was thrown out of that office the car had been smashed two months before by their employee Durantee. I never used their cars after I left that office.

3. I have no mounting debt. I do not owe the Sunday Times, they are free to produce these mounting debts. They are not maintaining me. I have no idea of the extravagant lifestyle. I have asked my lawyers to kindly get us this information - like most of our struggling people now and again. I cannot afford my bond as I help maintain my six grandchildren.

4. I have never had a cent from my divorce like all black women who are emotionally abused, nor did I claim any - what happened in court was a routine case and argument by my lawyers - editor of the Sunday Times.

So much for the gutter press needless to tell you I will continue to be an embarrassment for the truth I stand for according to the Sunday Times.

To come back to us women:

• What do we have to do to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves
• What's it t'or us

The path to a brighter future is clear. We must hold onto the reigns of power through 1999 into the next century. To do this we must rebuild the African National Congress. Through the regional offices of the Women's League we must reconstruct the organization to its former glory.

While we have been resting on the laurels of our 1994 victory, the enemy has been scheming. What we have is a false security of power. At CODESA we negotiated away real power. Because we thought we were negotiating with men of integrity. Their true colours showed when they walked out of the GNU. Thank God I had predicted their insecurity with my truth. Only in 1999 will there be an absolute majority in government. In the mean time, the enemy together with its spies is putting to work a plan so daring that it would be considered unbelievable.

As we speak, thousands of illegal aliens are entering our borders - 8 Million. I am not talking about the destitute Mozambican who crawl through a broken border fence. I am talking about the ones who fly in from Eastem Europe, Asia and the Far East. I am talking about the ones who can afford the R25 000, to buy a South African ID and a passport.

These ID documents are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. The same department which is in charge of the general elections. The same department that has privatised the running of the 1999 elections to the people who made a mockery of the 1996 matric results. The same department that we do not control.

Everywhere I go women demand equal rights. Women demand emancipation from economic disparity. To this I say, what have you done about it'? Through more than 80 years of sacrifice, our heroes of the struggle gave you the most fundamental of human rights, the rights to self determination. How many of you will exercise that right'? How many of you have renewed your ANC and Women's League membership'?

We as women are the backbone of our society. If we do not start to prepare now for the 1999 election it will be too late. I told you today, I come as a warner. You have now been warned of the danger that lies beneath our feet. If we do not jump to it now the magic carpet that is being guided by our Messiah will be literally pulled from under our feet, and we will go back to wearing mud on our faces.

DELIVERANCE

The time for swift and decisive action is now. We have come too far to give it away.

In our Plan of Action I suggest: We go back to the Freedom Charter, you know how it works. When you get home go to your sister and tell her who you are and what you do. Do this to everyone in your street. Amongst yourselves decide who will be the liaison officer for your street, that is the person who will communicate with other street liaisons and the police when crime is to be reported. The principle is simple - let no sister ever be alone when rape is committed it affects you, because she is your friend. When 200 women march to the police station to report a case of violence against a women, I assure you it will affect the outcome of the sentence.

Together we stand because there is strength in numbers, and there are more women than there are abusers.

The M-Plan is a network of friends. The old welfare system was only designed to cater for 4 million whites, and so never came to the black communities. We need to support one another emotionally, physically and economically, until the welfare system can be implemented in our communities.

If the courtroom is filled with faces that you know from your community instead of jeering men, who will make a fool of you'? How can you be afraid when you know that your community cares about your welfare?

SUCCESSES

The Women's League has a proud record of deliverance of 54 years. From the Defiance Campaign to the Women's Charter. We have shown incredible resolve to see our rights finally in place in the constitution. We were the first to march against pass laws in 1913 in Bethlehem free State. We were the first to defy the unjust laws in 1918 the first leader to visit us in prison was Sol Plaatjie that great son of soil. The gender Commission is now our new vehicle to advance our cause.

It is imperative that we continue this tradition of deliverance if we are to turn the tide of disillusionment in the government. The Bill of Rights is a major battle won, but the war rages on. We must work harder now than ever before to convert our rights on paper to real rights that we can enjoy.

The challenge is clear, and we must rise to face it. Rebuild the Women's League, or trace obsolescence.

We carry with us the hopes of all our women. We are the ones who will champion the cause of the Rural Women, and we are the ones who will be the role models to the daughters of this nation.

The long term plan of the Women's league is to lead the struggle for non-sexist society, and to contribute to the vision of the ANC.

In order to succeed we must be strong. We have leadership structure to take us into the 21st century. In that time we must look to forge alliance with other women's groups sharing the same vision.

In all that we do we must be seen to lead. We must be seen to deliver. We must be the formidable force that gets things done. And all of this we will do with honour, dignity and a vigour that will create hope. We are the pride of the nation

In conclusion how dare that Newspaper which was the first Stratcom vehicle according to Paul Erasmus suggest that the story of my life is worth a ******3m. I wish to advice them as it was a pathetic attempt calculated to damage my election today my story is priceless and is not for sale. I know you needed to upgrade your poor circulation. I do not mind being your RDP. I repeat your problem is that I am not your product have never been and will never be.

You constitute 3% of accessibility to the media according to informed statics - my 8½ million of my people in the squatter camp can not afford your costly newspapers, radios and TV. So your campaigns are worthless to them. I therefore humbly accept the Presidency of the ANC Women's league.

• If some of my colleagues find the truth embarrassing. I will not betray my people and say things, those who are custodians of our power are comfortable with at expense of the cause we fought so hard for.

To you Ma - Nzo thanks for your senior citizen words of advice suffice to say I am one of those who are not used by anyone. My views are mine and they are expressed honestly without shame or guilt. I have never been afraid of the truth. I am in no one's pay pocket.

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